Question

What shelf in your fridge should you put raw meat, poultry, or seafood?

1) Top shelf
2) Middle shelf
3) Bottom shelf

Answer 1

Raw meat, poultry, or seafood should be placed on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator to prevent potential contamination of other foods. Maintaining proper fridge temperature and practicing thorough cooking and handwashing are essential for food safety.

Step-by-step explanation:

Raw meat, poultry, or seafood should be stored on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. This is recommended to prevent their juices from dripping onto other foods and potentially contaminating them with bacteria. Foods that have not been cooked, such as sliced meats and dairy products, can be particularly vulnerable to contamination, so it's important to keep raw foods separate and at the bottom where they cannot drip onto other items.

Furthermore, maintaining your fridge temperature at or below 4 degrees C (40 degrees F) is critical to inhibit bacterial growth. Thorough cooking is also necessary to kill bacteria in food, which requires reaching an internal temperature of at least 74 degrees C (165 degrees F). Always use a cooking thermometer to ensure that food is properly heated.

Remember, regular handwashing is essential before and after handling or preparing food to defend against the spread of foodborne diseases. Lastly, all perishable leftovers should be refrigerated quickly to ensure they remain safe for consumption.